Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Fantasy Adventures => Frostgrave => Topic started by: November on December 11, 2015, 11:06:33 PM
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I'm November, and I'm a bit terrain-o-holic. I returned to the hobby after more than 10 years, and started building my own terrain for the first time. Results brought me - among other things - my own little Mordheim.
Now very interested in Frostgrave, I'm certainly looking forward to putting this already ready Mordheim terrain into use. The lack of frost and ice bothers my eye, though. Just adding snow into the city is not an option either, as the color palette used is not wintry at all.
I'm still likely to use this Mordheim terrain for Frostgrave when bigger scenarios are needed. For smaller ones, I'm currently working with a little bit smaller outdoors board with fewer ruins - and this one frosty to the boot. I also have a pile of different wizards and apprentices to be painted, as well as some necessary monsters.
Looking forward to posting pictures of the progress of the new stuffs later. As for now, here's a little peek into the not-so-frosty part of my Frostheim:
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/street1_zpsbsxy5xbx.jpg)
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/street7_zpstleqqpvh.jpg)
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/street2_zps57rkqtxh.jpg)
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/street5_zpssd4twiwo.jpg)
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/barbarians2_zpsbc6145a5.jpg)
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/street3_zps2eh99hzg.jpg)
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/street6_zpsixohzkep.jpg)
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/sisters2_zps1iekxvfn.jpg)
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/market3_zpsgmjwyh28.jpg)
A couple buildings here are copied by eye-measure from the work of another builder. Most are of my own design. It's all self-made, no kits or pieces by any manufactures used (except for a few GW bits here and there). Just good ol' foamboard over hardboard + some balsa wood, sand, glue and whatnot. If you want to see some building better, just ask. Apologies for the quality. Phone camera.
If you hunger to add things to the core rules of Frostgrave, make sure you also check out my Optional Rules and Soldier Experience for Frostgrave (http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=85452.0).
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That is impressive!
Can I pick your brain as to how you modelled all those different types of stonework?
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Very cool. :-*
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Wonderful scenery. Really like how there's so much with the different height levels.
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Amazing work! :o
I don't have artist's eye, but I think this terrain is awesome and would be just as good with the addition of some snow.
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That looks great. The brickwork must have taken a ton of time, huh?
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Great looking terrain. I look forward to seeing what you come up with next.
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Thanks, everyone!
Levels were a high priority as I built this terrain. Currently, it can rise up to 24" from the tabletop, if the highest building is placed atop the big platform.
And stonework... yeah. That's slow. I think the average progress of this city was about 1-4 weeks per building or square.
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Where have I seen that terrain before? I wonder... :)
Welcome to the Frostgrave forum!!
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I had the same feeling...
Still looking very good, regardless of venue. Welcome and enjoy your stay at the LAF!
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Excellent work. If you do not mind, November, I have some questions.
You mentioned using foam core and hard board? What hard board? I gather you glue the foam core to the harder material them strip the first layer of paper from the foam core. After that, you sculpt the stone, yes?
The larger structure, is that extruded polystrene or insulation foam or what?
Awesome stuff!
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Again, thanks for the all kind comments, and handwave to the familiar faces!
Parkaboy: The basic building material is 5mm foamcore, with and without the top layer. However, almost all carved stonework is done over 5mm foamboard instead, which is easier to carve than peeled foamcore.
Bigger platform and wall are not actually thick blocks of polystyrene, despite most would guess that. They are hollow foamcore structures, but reinforced with enough stuff to make them almost sturdy enough to sit on. I have a pile of books resting over that said elevation in my bookshelf now. Nobody usually guesses that it's actually hollow, because it looks solid and massive.
I have used 20-50mm foamboard in some structures, but mostly just that 5mm foamboard and 5mm foamcore.
Base board is pretty standard-issue hardboard, 3mm I think. It's there to give some extra weight to the pieces, which is really useful to keep the modular together on tabletop. It gives the pieces a nice, solid feel of foundation, instead of just free-flapping pieces of light material.
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I complimented you on your excellent terrain on a different forum. Good to see you have come over to the dark (or frosty) side :)
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As I can finally roll some stuff off my workbench, here's some new pictures for you to accompany the old.
Here you have the first quarter of the outdoors board. This one I made months ago, not even Frostgrave in mind back then.
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/snow2_zpsrcqs7ymb.jpg)
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/snow3_zps2vubiygv.jpg)
It's 40x40 cm board. With 3 others, it will neatly fill my coffee table for a nice, home-sized Frostgrave outdoors terrain.
I just finished the second part of the board, which, unsurprisingly, looks almost the same.
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/board1_zpsbdjnelqj.jpg)
It has details.
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/board2_zpsiwueqoey.jpg)
And stuff can be put on it.
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/board3_zpsmlpmotnc.jpg)
If someone is interested in more blabber of how they were made, I have some work-in-progerss pictures and tips/details to share, too.
Next focusing on some structures to put on them. Obviously, this board will not be as full as the Mordheim part. Idea is that this is the outskirts of the actual city of Felstad. Graveyards, mausoleums, fences, ruined border towers, things like that, among trees, rocks and cliffs. Not tight-packed streets. If I need that, I use my Mordheim you've already seen.
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Gorgeous!! Absolutely gorgeous!!
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What are those trees from?
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What are those trees from?
Games Workshop.
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Trees are from Citadel Woods kit from Games Workshop.
Mine were originally flocked spring leaf green, and some madness in me made me blend them to autumnal color before covering them with snow. Although snow pretty much covers it all, I know it's there. :D
Tips & Tricks Corner: I can recommend this technique to anyone wanting autumn leaves: just use light green flock and wash it with several different shades (dark green, yellow, orange, and finally brown.) Don't apply all washes all over the flock, but dot it appropriately. Gives a nice variance and you don't need differently colored flocks.
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/autumn1_zpsrlixozbi.jpg)
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Great looking scenery. Nice tip on the autumn flock. Thanks for sharing
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Thanks!
These are the basic steps for making the boards.
1. Gluing fine sand, rough sand, and finally some tactically placed larger rocks to the board. Gluing and coating bark pieces. Coating sand and rocks.
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/board1_zpsw0y9gthz.jpg)
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/making1_zps6a99z7ak.jpg)
2. Basecoating black. Could be sprayed, I basecoated by brush.
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/board2_zpsqwfnn7qp.jpg)
3. Drybrushing. Just a few different shades of gray and earthen tones.
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/drybrush1_zpscrru1yjf.jpg)
4. Snow. Simple household baking soda mixed with PVA glue. Sprayed matt varnish to seal it properly.
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/snow2_zpsrcqs7ymb.jpg)
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They look stunning...much better than my bland boards
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(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/summoner5_zpsopkidub8.jpg)
First wizard/apprentice pair painted. Elementalist or Summoner and her apprentice.
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Mimicing Daniel36, I take name suggestions for my wizards and apprentices, if you're good with those!
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(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/wizard8_zps5oxegvx3.jpg)
Sigilist, and the youngest apprentice yet seen in Frostgrave.
Don't know about names yet, but must be something Italian. The boy reminds me of Pinocchio for some reason.
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Where did you find that wonderful wizard and apprentice/scroll-caddy?
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Where did you find that wonderful wizard and apprentice/scroll-caddy?
http://www.reapermini.com/OnlineStore/03186/sku-down/03186
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Right on, Reaper mini it is, like most models you are going to see here. I was amazed that nobody hadn't yet picked this guy for Frostgrave.
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[Snipped image]
Sigilist, and the youngest apprentice yet seen in Frostgrave.
Don't know about names yet, but must be something Italian. The boy reminds me of Pinocchio for some reason.
I'd suggest "Wart" for the apprentice. :P
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One of the best apprentice models I've seen.
I'd suggest "Wart" for the apprentice. :P
I second that.
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Wart it is! Now just need to name the wizard...
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(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/markers3_zpsibb7xawr.jpg)
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/markers2_zps6vncci3e.jpg)
Magic markers for Wizard Eye and Explosive Rune.
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Elementalist/Summoner warband grows with a fiery addition.
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/summoner3_zpslawful0g.jpg)
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Very nice!
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Nice additions. Thanks for sharing
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Great work, really looking forward to seeing this thread progress. Thanks for the inspiration!
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Thank you, gentlemen. Next, I tried some different sort of spell markers to keep track of spells that remain in play over a character.
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/markers4_zpsivhnv23l.jpg)
Small is for Elemental Shield, big one is measured to cover Circle of Protection or Destructive Sphere:
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/summoner4_zps5mfmakqe.jpg)
Othes can remind of different school spells that remain on a figure:
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/markers7_zpstzkusogd.jpg)
Of course too much is just too much:
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/markers9_zpsxcu6jk6i.jpg)
Merry Christmas!
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Good idea, and nicely executed. Merry Christmas to you too
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(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/dwarfs2_zpsv17ecayy.jpg)
Dwarven panzerfist approaches the gates of Felstad. And they will take back their halls... and beer!
Enchanter, apprentice, 5 knights, 2 crossbowmen/marksmen and an array of different-sized constructs.
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Looks like a very fun and flavorful warband.
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Agreed - great work again. Love those markers too!
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Love the markers. I did something similar for my Warhammer Ogre army but I'd forgotten about it over time. Good shout there, I'll have to make some of my own now for my Wizards.
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I love you markers too, but your iron dwarfs are cool too. Where come from the stone troll back of them ?
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That big guy in the back row is large Earth Elemental from Reaper Bones.
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Wow excellent work. Lots of inspiration here. Question, what size do you guys make your boards? is it best to build them 1ftx1ft so you can expand the board to 3x3 or 4x4 as you see fit?
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Question, what size do you guys make your boards? is it best to build them 1ftx1ft so you can expand the board to 3x3 or 4x4 as you see fit?
Smaller the squares, more variation you can create (by setting the table differently) and it's usually easier to store. But remember that smaller (and lighter) the squares are, more easier they move during play. Bigger ones make more stabile gaming boards.
If you intend to make 1ft x 1ft sized squares, I recommend applying extra weight somehow. If you carve on foam, use hardboard base or something else to give them a bit weight and structure. With 4 ft x 4 ft boards or bigger, this isn't really necessary.
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All kinds of cool in this thread. Great stuff.
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Smaller the squares, more variation you can create (by setting the table differently) and it's usually easier to store. But remember that smaller (and lighter) the squares are, more easier they move during play. Bigger ones make more stabile gaming boards.
If you intend to make 1ft x 1ft sized squares, I recommend applying extra weight somehow. If you carve on foam, use hardboard base or something else to give them a bit weight and structure. With 4 ft x 4 ft boards or bigger, this isn't really necessary.
Sorry if I'm derailing your thread. I was thinking of using MDF boards and putting a basic frost/snow type layer on top. I was going to keep the building separate at first and just place them around the board if that makes sense.
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If you have the buildings separate, I would consider making the tiles larger, at least 2ft x 2ft. MDF makes a good base, but has the tendency to warp a bit when exposed to wet paint or glue. Keep your tiles under pressure overnight or longer after gluing/painting.
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Thanks for the tips! I'm still torn between a mat or creating boards. Really like your setup
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Not much new stuffzies, but the red warband is growing with a knight and a couple thugs/thives/treasure hunters. I like how this warband is starting to get a bit D&D adventuring group vibe.
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/redwarband5_zpsvjidhljp.jpg)
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(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/tower1_zpsznupyyhw.jpg)
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/tower2_zpsq8zzmveq.jpg)
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/tower3_zpsthmwj8pq.jpg)
Ground level of my wizard's tower. Still lacks some finishing touches, like stairs and possible snow effect.
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where do you store all this stuff!!!??? Im jealous just imagining your man cave.....Great terrain.
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Really liking your spell effect templates, they look perfect. Been playing around with using acetate to overlay the area but your more 3D approach is definately better!
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where do you store all this stuff!!!???
This is something I ask myself frequently...
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Very nice blog you have going here. The Mordheim table on the first page is amazing. And a great inspiration. I just finished my first 1'x1' modul for my Frostgrave games. And the cobblestone work you've done is awesome.
I jsut made all the stones in the ground random. But the different circles and symetrics you've made adds a lot. Gonna steal that idea.
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I like the look of that wizard tower!
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Very nice blog you have going here. The Mordheim table on the first page is amazing. And a great inspiration. I just finished my first 1'x1' modul for my Frostgrave games. And the cobblestone work you've done is awesome.
I jsut made all the stones in the ground random. But the different circles and symetrics you've made adds a lot. Gonna steal that idea.
Thank you. I've also found it inspiring and worthwhile to look around at any European old towns or older urban areas with cobbled or paved streets. The simple patterns that are used often work just as well at miniature level. Mimicing them gives your streets character and realism fairly easily.
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I recently made a little sewer set for custom scenarios underground.
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/sewers7_zpsfzcqzuc1.jpg)
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/sewers8_zpsccrvgvx0.jpg)
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/sewers5_zpskehpcq0z.jpg)
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/sewers6_zpshcymsq97.jpg)
Idea is that both warbands carry their own limited light source, and see only their close surroundings. Therefore, these about 10 pieces are enough to make limitless-sized sewer dungeons for a scenario where the warbands adventure in a randomly changing maze.
They're mostly 4x4" squares, some gates, one larger objective room where the sewer pipe has been broken and enters a chamber above.
It's quite compact little modular that I made pretty quickly. You can see some mismatch in the linking, because I just rolled with it and didn't take time with exact measurements. It turned out nice enough.
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/sewers1_zpsxlsj6yiq.jpg)
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/sewers2_zpsy7ril4gt.jpg)
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/sewers4_zpsbdm1q8qz.jpg)
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/sewers3_zpsrzexzdwf.jpg)
Foam, cardboard, glue, some balsa wood and toothpicks. :D
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Some new terrain for the Frostheim - a fortified guardhouse.
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/guardhouse1_zpsizbrzely.jpg)
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/guardhouse2_zpsr0mzf5p3.jpg)
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/guardhouse3_zpshytfsdvm.jpg)
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/guardhouse4_zps6keqmz0h.jpg)
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/guardhouse5_zpsdi8kst6y.jpg)
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/guardhouse6_zps6c0hgc6x.jpg)
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/guardhouse7_zps9yoskinu.jpg)
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Very cool log! The buildings and terrain are incredibly characterful and fun to look at. You have an amazing city to explore.
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Let me just pick my jaw up from the floor. Brilliant work!
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Thanks for the good word! Here is how the new guardhouse sits into the big picture, when one wants to build vertical.
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag468/Nychthemerone/mordheim7_zpsws15h4zs.jpg)
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Wow! Excellent work, and some great inspiration here... Keep it up!
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Holy molly, thats a few turns of walking to get to the top of that one, if someone decides to put a treasure counter up on the top! o_o
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That's a cracking piece of terrain - bravo!
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Holy molly, thats a few turns of walking to get to the top of that one, if someone decides to put a treasure counter up on the top! o_o
Only a sick and deviant preevert would do that:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud9zBKJJQe4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud9zBKJJQe4)
Oh, that'd be me....
...I usually place a treasure item slap bang in the middle of the table or on the highest bit of terrain I can...
:D
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Thanks, guys!
Holy molly, thats a few turns of walking to get to the top of that one, if someone decides to put a treasure counter up on the top! o_o
Oh, that'd be me....
...I usually place a treasure item slap bang in the middle of the table or on the highest bit of terrain I can...
Me too! In Mordheim, that top is somewhat realistically unreachable in most games, but in Frostgrave, Teleport and Leap help a lot. In fact, I've noticed that these spells become all too powerful in my terrain. You just gotta have 'em.
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usual threadomancy warning (really ... why??), but yes I do want to post here with my admiration for the fantastic work in this thread (OP has put a note regarding it in his current thread on sci-fi terrain) which I haven't seen before.
love to see some more pics of full-board set-ups if available - and did the OP continue with stuff like the sewers system? - stunningly good.
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usual threadomancy warning (really ... why??), but yes I do want to post here with my admiration for the fantastic work in this thread (OP has put a note regarding it in his current thread on sci-fi terrain) which I haven't seen before.
love to see some more pics of full-board set-ups if available - and did the OP continue with stuff like the sewers system? - stunningly good.
Thanks for the kind words, Bloggard!
Sadly I can't take any more pictures of this set. It got relocated some months ago, finding a new home with a gaming group who could find more use to it than I could. I'd love to make another ruined fantasy city like this some day, though. ;)
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Great, great scenery, man!! Congrats!!!
Milo